Vepr 12, might be my next shotgun?

[45/70 Henry Lover]

Thinking I might need to add one to the collection. I have watched several YouTube videos and read tons of reviews and I have yet to find a good reason not to own one. Besides crazy current prices, but I might just go ahead and buy one anyway. If anyone has personal experience that should keep me from buying one, I would love to hear about it, otherwise I might not be able to resist buying one.

 

[Noble Sniper]

I was looking at buying one for quite awhile recently. Was looking at used Sauga’s and the new Kalashnikov USA 12ga shotguns. They are neat I love the platform but I watched or read to many times about issues with them being picky with ammo. Guess it comes down to what you want it for. A range toy wouldn’t be a problem but for me self defense I wanted something more reliable. Just my two cents bud

 

[Butch627]

I felt the same way when they came out. Vepr.org used to be a great forum resource of information but it has been down for quite a few months, there is a message that it is coming back but that has been up for a long time. I got my mags and I don't know the current situation but they were always expensive and aftermarket always seemed to need tuning. If higher capacity factory mags ever came back at a reasonable price I would get some. Shells deform from spring pressure in the mag over time but there are tricks to get around that. I really like mine and wish I had more time to shoot it.

 

[kawtech87]

Love my VEPR 12 but hate the factory stock. I installed an M4 adapter from Carolina Shooters Supply and it's way better. It does require breaking the weld to install but 922r isn't hard to achieve on these either. Plus the stock adapter counts as compliance parts

 

[45/70 Henry Lover]

I was looking at buying one for quite awhile recently. Was looking at used Sauga’s and the new Kalashnikov USA 12ga shotguns. They are neat I love the platform but I watched or read to many times about issues with them being picky with ammo. Guess it comes down to what you want it for. A range toy wouldn’t be a problem but for me self defense I wanted something more reliable. Just my two cents bud

Agree totally, I have a 870 that I built from a bare receiver that is as dependable as the Sun so it would be more for fun than an actual defensive gun. Thanks for your thoughts!

 

[Itchytriggerfinger]

I love mine but I've actually shot it and not read about how bad they are so my opinion might be biased.

 

[Noble Sniper]

Wasn’t my intention to offend…. I had done a lot of research into getting one and talked to a couple of fellas I know that have them and did a lot of reading up on them as well. Just what I came up with and again was not demeaning those that have them…. They are COOL!!!!

 

[snorko]

Extra fun when chopped. I bought a good number of 8 & 10 round mags before the import restrictions. Mag availability might make me go the Kalashnikov USA route now.

 

[45/70 Henry Lover]

View attachment 165836

Extra fun when chopped. I bought a good number of 8 & 10 round mags before the import restrictions. Mag availability might make me go the Kalashnikov USA route now.

Nice! Very nice actually!

 

[Itchytriggerfinger]

Wasn’t my intention to offend…. I had done a lot of research into getting one and talked to a couple of fellas I know that have them and did a lot of reading up on them as well. Just what I came up with and again was not demeaning those that have them…. They are COOL!!!!

No offense taken.

 

[knutty]

I've had a couple. They are great shotguns, mine were flawless with Russian mags even when shooting the cheapest target loads Walmart was selling at that time. I had many malfunctions with 12 round US made plastic mags (SGM was it ???) and I also had malfunctions with CSS mags which alot of people praise as being on par with Russian mags. The AK sights make shooting slugs extremely effective up to 50 yards, it was a blast shooting steel with slug loads.

But at today's prices? No way I'm paying what they and the mags are selling for. Unless you are a collector and just have to have one, I would go 1301 or M4.

 

[IUKalash429]

Another owner here. Only deterrent would be high mag prices. You might be able to scratch your itch with a cheaper American or Chinese-made clone, but if you want a VEPR-12 then get a VEPR-12 - it's tough to beat a Russian when it comes to these AK-style scatterguns.

 

[snorko]

Nice! Very nice actually!

All compliments to AllenM who did the work. I had him leave the gas system alone so it runs best with slugs, buck, etc. I have a full size for the cheap stuff.

Another owner here. Only deterrent would be high mag prices. You might be able to scratch your itch with a cheaper American or Chinese-made clone, but if you want a VEPR-12 then get a VEPR-12 - it's tough to beat a Russian when it comes to these AK-style scatterguns.

I looked and K-Var has 8 round mags (my favorite) in four packs for $280. That's not too far from pre-ban prices.

I picked up a JTS AK shotgun off Ingo not long ago. My thought was it would be a cheaper range toy and most reviews had them running OK with cheap Walmart Federal loads with the adjustable gas block opened up. Handling it side by side with a Vepr, you can really feel the Molot quality.

 

[45/70 Henry Lover]

I've had a couple. They are great shotguns, mine were flawless with Russian mags even when shooting the cheapest target loads Walmart was selling at that time. I had many malfunctions with 12 round US made plastic mags (SGM was it ???) and I also had malfunctions with CSS mags which alot of people praise as being on par with Russian mags. The AK sights make shooting slugs extremely effective up to 50 yards, it was a blast shooting steel with slug loads.

But at today's prices? No way I'm paying what they and the mags are selling for. Unless you are a collector and just have to have one, I would go 1301 or M4.

An M4 would be my number 1 wish list shotgun but the prices on those beauties are even crazier!

 

[Butch627]

Are there still new ones coming to market? What is the going rate for wood stock and metal? IIRC when they first came to market they were going for 1350 new and just before they got cut off they could be had for 700, does that sound about right?

 

[dtownmj]

Thinking I might need to add one to the collection. I have watched several YouTube videos and read tons of reviews and I have yet to find a good reason not to own one. Besides crazy current prices, but I might just go ahead and buy one anyway. If anyone has personal experience that should keep me from buying one, I would love to hear about it, otherwise I might not be able to resist buying one.

I have one. Look on the vepr12 forums for how to break it in properly otherwise it may not cycle cheap rounds like the winchester or federal bulk. They are awesome - very heavy. I replaced my hg with a railed hg and a molot foregrip

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[dtownmj]

All compliments to AllenM who did the work. I had him leave the gas system alone so it runs best with slugs, buck, etc. I have a full size for the cheap stuff.


I looked and K-Var has 8 round mags (my favorite) in four packs for $280. That's not too far from pre-ban prices.

I picked up a JTS AK shotgun off Ingo not long ago. My thought was it would be a cheaper range toy and most reviews had them running OK with cheap Walmart Federal loads with the adjustable gas block opened up. Handling it side by side with a Vepr, you can really feel the Molot quality.

The mags are stil coming in bulk from russia to private individuals. Check out akfiles - you can snag a 10rounder for $85 sometimes. I just paid $40 for some 8 rnders


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[indyartisan]

Converted Saiga 12 here.
Runs perfect on high brass
Single shot more often than not with the cheap low brass though.
922r compliant thanks to CSS.
It was a fun little project .

 

[IUKalash429]

Are there still new ones coming to market?

VEPR/Molot? Nope. Thanks, Trump.

Saiga/Kalashnikov Concern? Nope. Thanks, Obama.

You can still find Chinese, Turkish, American, etc. versions (JTS, Lynx, Garaysar, Kalashnikov USA, etc.), but most of the mags are not interchangeable, and the quality and reliably simply won't be on par with the Russian guns.